The 5 best Christmas candles

'Tis the season to be merry and to light your candles. From spices to fir trees, recreate a festive ambience at home with these choice candles

Some people prefer electronically timed diffusers when it comes to scenting their homes. For us, we still love a good, old-fashioned candle — including the ritual or lighting and snuffing them out, messy wax and all. And when Christmas time rolls along, there are so many choices from fragrance houses. Whether you want your abode to smell like the inside of an ancient cathedral of a forest full of fresh pine trees, luxury candles today go beyond the usual one note renditions, with rich, complex and inviting scents. Many of the brands like Cire Trudon also introduce them in special colours and packaging as well as limited edition scents, making them a covetable collectible, perfect gift and happy indulgence all at one. Here are the ones we've sniffed and loved.

IF YOU DON'T WANT SOMETHING TOO CHRISTMAS-EYTry: Compagnie de Provence White Tea Candle Smells like: A freshly brewed cup of citrus-flavoured white tea. It's aromatic without being overwhelming.Looks: A new release from the brand, rather than a Christmas offering per se, the chic, white container decorated with a black marble pattern will blend in with modern décor.IF YOU WANT A DELICIOUS SCENTTry: Jo Malone London Orange Bitters Candle, $382Smells like: A tasty blend of sweet orange and crisp mandarin with the bite of bitter orange for some zest. Other notes include prune and a warm base of sandalwood.Looks: Decked in the brand's seasonal harlequin-inspired pattern, the luxe gold and black patterns on this jumbo candle will dress up any mantle or side table.

IF YOU WANT TO FEEL WARM AND HAPPYTry: Cire Trudon Bougie Gabriel, $150Smells like: Roasting chestnuts by a warm fireplace. Notes include leather, candied chestnuts, patchouli, moss and cashmere wood.Looks: In a limited pale green glass jar with a gold foil interior, this is quietly luxurious and elegant — it looks glorious when burned. Think of it as the wax equivalent of a floaty, ethereal Valentino gown.IF YOU WANT SOMETHING EVOCATIVETry: Diptyque Un Encens ÉtoiléSmells like: The inside of a church on Christmas eve, but made more palatable. Think swirls of incense and sweet vanilla with a burst of elemi and spicy cloves.Looks: In a dazzling, metallic cobalt cannister, this candle will light up your home in more ways than one.